The Call of Duty: To Lead By Example

I’ve been spending the week serving as a second lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) during the Tennessee Wing’s annual cadet encampment.

I’m here mainly because Jack is attending, but it’s giving me a chance to meet new people and gain a better underestimating of what CAP is about when it comes to the youth who participate.

The Call of Duty: To Lead By Example

Early in the week, we were joined by Lieutenant General (Retired) Keith Huber, who now serves as senior advisor for veterans and leadership initiatives at Middle Tennessee State University, where the encampment is being held.

With nearly 40 years of military service, Huber had a lot to say about leadership to the 120 cadets. But one thing especially struck me.

He said you should never have to write up and post a list of standards so that those under you know what to expect and do. He said if you want someone to know what the standard is, they should only have to watch the way you act and behave.

As a Christ follower, my standard is clear, and there is no question how we have been called to live. There may be parts I don’t like, but there’s no question to me my call of duty.

The Call of Duty: To Lead By Example

In reading the Acts of the Apostles, it’s evident to non-Christians who the believers are. In this day and age, that’s not always so obvious.

Huber’s point, I believe, is that walking is better than talking. Words are easy to ignore. Actions are not.

I can understand how important that is on a battlefield. True leaders must be direct yet selfless when lives are at stake. As a Christian, the same is true, except that the lives of those yet to follow Christ are the ones in danger.

Our directive to live out a Christ-centered lifestyle is obviously important for ourselves, but it’s an example that those who don’t yet know the saving grace of the Messiah need to witness.

We are each called to be leaders of our faith, regardless of our position within the church. Huber may have retired with three stars on his shoulders, but he was a leader well before that, learning from others and acknowledging his strengths and weaknesses as he went.

And so we should take a page from the general’s war book and learn to better lead by example. Our standard bearer is beyond compare. We are called to live a life of Christ.